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Transportation Services - Vanpooling

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1. Who can apply for funding assistance?

Anyone operating a vanpool that serves residents of the State of Virginia can apply for assistance. The vanpool must be a nonprofit operation and have a seating capacity of no less than six and no more than 14 (excluding the driver). The vanpool operator must certify that the van has PV plates and is appropriately insured under a Commercial Auto Policy or Vanpool Policy and registered with the local jurisdiction’s rideshare agency.

2. Are there any special requirements for funding assistance?

Yes. Since the VanStart Program is for new vanpools and the VanSave Program is for existing vanpools, there are some differences in the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility requirements for VanStart include:

• The owner / operator must register the vanpool and apply for assistance within the first three months of operation with the local jurisdiction’s rideshare agency
• At least 50% of the passenger capacity must be filled

Eligibility requirements for VanSave include:

• The vanpool must have been in operation for a minimum of six months and may not have received any state assistance funds in the past 12 months
• At least 25% of the paying passenger capacity must have been empty for more than 30 days at time of application

The amount of funding is based on the average cost per seat of your vanpool and the average cost per seat of similar vanpools traveling within comparable distance and market parameters.

3. Can you help me find new riders?

Yes. As part of a region-wide network of commuter assistance agencies, Loudoun's Transit and Commuter Services Program can provide the latest up-to-date information on commuters interested in riding in a vanpool. For more information, view Finding New Riders.

4. Whom do I contact to receive the appropriate forms or more information?

Loudoun County Transit and Commuter Services
Office of Transportation Services
1 Harrison St. SE, Third Floor
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Ph (Local): 703-771-5665
Ph (Commuter Connections): 800-745-RIDE
Fx: 703-737-8315
rideshare@loudoun.gov